There’s something so quaint and picturesque about covered bridges. These structures have largely gone out of fashion over the years due to road and bridge building, but that only makes them all the more exciting to discover. Here in Northeast Ohio, there are a handful of nearby bridges that are worth exploring… and many Greater Cleveland covered bridges are closer to home than you might think! Get ready for a road trip, because these bridges are begging for a visit.
Ready for a road trip? This adventure will take you beyond Greater Cleveland to visit five memorable covered bridges in the Northeast Ohio area.
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- Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge
Janelle Johnson/Google Images A popular spot for senior pictures and engagement photos, the lovely Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge in David Fortier River Park is endlessly charming. It’s one of very few covered bridges in Cuyahoga County, and it is surprisingly modern. It was built in the 1990s to honor Captain Charles Harding, who was killed in action during World War II. At 108 feet long, the bridge is beautiful and immediately eye-catching. The sky looks particularly crisp from its bridge deck, especially when surrounded by lovely greenery or rich autumnal hues. Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge, Main St, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138, USA
- Walter F Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge
TeresaM/Google Images The stunning Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge in Strongsville is a surprise to many locals, as it’s tucked off the beaten path. This landmark on Whitney Road is surrounded by the greenery of the Cleveland Metroparks, and it was built in 1983 to honor a former Strongsville mayor. In 2021, it was announced that the bridge was not quite structurally sound, necessitating a rebuild. This is good news for locals, as ongoing maintenance ensures that this bridge will be preserved for generations to come. Walter F Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge, Whitney Rd, Strongsville, OH 44149, USA
- Everett Road Covered Bridge
Tim Evanson/Flickr Stretching over Furnace Run in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Everett Road Covered Bridge is truly a remnant of a bygone era. Built circa 1877, this stunning truss bridge has been repaired over the years, but is largely accurate to its original design. Its beauty draws from its simplicity, its historic significance, and the fact that local legend still clings to the structure. It’s said that it was built in response to a local accident, which ultimately rallied the community and inspired this structure as a preventative measure. Everett Road Covered Bridge Parking Lot, 2247 Everett Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
- Maple Highlands Trail Covered Bridge
Debbie Gregory/Google Images The beautiful Maple Highlands Trail Covered Bridge differs a bit from others on our list, as this one is built for pedestrian traffic. As part of the 20-mile Maple Highlands Trail, this covered bridge adds a quaint element to the Geauga Park District. Stretching through Chardon and Middlefield, the hike offers a glimpse of the landscape that differs a bit from that in the Cleveland Metropolitan area. The bridge is in Middlefield, and it’s a popular spot for bikers to stop, take in the local landscape, and snap a photo. Maple Highlands Trail Covered Bridge, Burton-Windsor Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062, USA
- Windsor Mills Covered Bridge
Jeff T/Google Images Located in the tiny community of Windsor Township in Ashtabula County, this historic structure stands over Phelps Creek, providing stunning views of the surrounding area. Built in 1867, the bridge is easily recognized, as its vibrant yellow design simply can’t be missed. Today, it is one of 17 in the county that is open to traffic. This is thanks in part to extensive renovation in the early 2000s, which has preserved the historic character of the bridge and earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Windsor Mills Covered Bridge, 7696 Warner Hollow Rd, Windsor, OH 44099, USA
These Greater Cleveland covered bridges are a treat to see in any and every season. Did any of these local landmarks surprise you? What other nearby covered bridges would you recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Google Maps
Janelle Johnson/Google Images
A popular spot for senior pictures and engagement photos, the lovely Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge in David Fortier River Park is endlessly charming. It’s one of very few covered bridges in Cuyahoga County, and it is surprisingly modern. It was built in the 1990s to honor Captain Charles Harding, who was killed in action during World War II. At 108 feet long, the bridge is beautiful and immediately eye-catching. The sky looks particularly crisp from its bridge deck, especially when surrounded by lovely greenery or rich autumnal hues.
Charles A. Harding Memorial Covered Bridge, Main St, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138, USA
TeresaM/Google Images
The stunning Walter F. Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge in Strongsville is a surprise to many locals, as it’s tucked off the beaten path. This landmark on Whitney Road is surrounded by the greenery of the Cleveland Metroparks, and it was built in 1983 to honor a former Strongsville mayor. In 2021, it was announced that the bridge was not quite structurally sound, necessitating a rebuild. This is good news for locals, as ongoing maintenance ensures that this bridge will be preserved for generations to come.
Walter F Ehrnfelt Covered Bridge, Whitney Rd, Strongsville, OH 44149, USA
Tim Evanson/Flickr
Stretching over Furnace Run in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Everett Road Covered Bridge is truly a remnant of a bygone era. Built circa 1877, this stunning truss bridge has been repaired over the years, but is largely accurate to its original design. Its beauty draws from its simplicity, its historic significance, and the fact that local legend still clings to the structure. It’s said that it was built in response to a local accident, which ultimately rallied the community and inspired this structure as a preventative measure.
Everett Road Covered Bridge Parking Lot, 2247 Everett Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
Debbie Gregory/Google Images
The beautiful Maple Highlands Trail Covered Bridge differs a bit from others on our list, as this one is built for pedestrian traffic. As part of the 20-mile Maple Highlands Trail, this covered bridge adds a quaint element to the Geauga Park District. Stretching through Chardon and Middlefield, the hike offers a glimpse of the landscape that differs a bit from that in the Cleveland Metropolitan area. The bridge is in Middlefield, and it’s a popular spot for bikers to stop, take in the local landscape, and snap a photo.
Maple Highlands Trail Covered Bridge, Burton-Windsor Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062, USA
Jeff T/Google Images
Located in the tiny community of Windsor Township in Ashtabula County, this historic structure stands over Phelps Creek, providing stunning views of the surrounding area. Built in 1867, the bridge is easily recognized, as its vibrant yellow design simply can’t be missed. Today, it is one of 17 in the county that is open to traffic. This is thanks in part to extensive renovation in the early 2000s, which has preserved the historic character of the bridge and earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Windsor Mills Covered Bridge, 7696 Warner Hollow Rd, Windsor, OH 44099, USA
Ashtabula County has the most covered bridges in this part of Ohio. If you’re ever in the area during the fall, you have to check out the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival!
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